Casino style game of chance apparatus

ABSTRACT

A casino style game apparatus preferably having a table layout for playing a roulette or roulette-like game without a roulette wheel. The preferred embodiment uses a ball blower to select a numbered ball from a set of thirty-eight numbered balls. A monitor displays the selected ball as viewed from a video camera mounted above the ball blower. The number displayed constitutes the random number decision generation replacing the use of a roulette wheel. An additional embodiment uses a random number generator to select a number from one to thirty-eight for random number decision generation. Another embodiment uses a shuffled thirty-eight card deck from which a numbered card is selected constituting the random number decision generation. An additional embodiment uses a remote control activated by a player to initiate the random number generator for selection of a number from one to thirty-eight to constitute the random number decision generation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No.09/810,800, filed Mar. 15, 2001, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/189,544, filed Mar. 15, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to games of chance and moreparticularly to a casino game apparatus having a roulette table layoutplayed with conventional rules for roulette, except the game is playedwithout a roulette wheel.

Casino games such as craps, roulette, poker and blackjack have becomevery popular over the years. They are popular with players andprofitable for casinos. However, there are only a few places wherepeople interested in such games can go to play because the games are notallowed in most states. Also, people are aware that roulette wheels canbe made to favor particular results when rolled. Whether or not suchroulette wheels are ever used in roulette games at casinos, playersalways have a lingering doubt that they might be, particularly since theodds always favor the casino. Therefore, a casino type roulette gamethat can be played with a roulette table layout, with roulette rules,and with all the fanfare, excitement and ambience that players expectand enjoy at a casino, but with a completely random method ofdetermining the results of a play or spin, other than with the use of aroulette wheel, and for this reason may be played in more venues, isdesired.

The apparatus of this invention uses a conventional roulette table, witha conventional roulette table layout, except it does not use a roulettewheel. However, since a roulette wheel is not used in the game, a minorvariation is made in the layout or marked table surface. As will beexplained in more detail later, the numbers “0” and “00” marked on theconventional roulette table layout would be replaced with the numbers“37” and “38”.

The conventional roulette game uses a roulette ball which is dropped orspun into a spinning roulette wheel. As the wheel slows down, the balleventually comes to rest in one of the numbered pockets positionedaround a lower circumference of the inside of the wheel. This process ofthe ball landing in a numbered pocket is a means of generating a randomnumber. The play of the game is based on this outcome of the spin of theroulette wheel, also known as a decision. Wagers can be made and eachdecision determines whether or not a player wins or loses, based on therules.

To play the game of this invention without the use of a roulette wheelseveral means can be used to generate a decision. One way to generate adecision is by using a ball blower, commonly used in bingo, the blowerhaving balls numbered from one to thirty-eight. The number of thenumbered ball selected by the ball blower would constitute a decisionand the play of the game would continue based on this decision and therules of the game. Another way of generating a decision is to use a deckof cards having thirty-eight cards, each marked with a separate,distinct number from one to thirty-eight, inclusive (representing thethirty-eight numbered pockets in a roulette wheel). The card deck wouldbe shuffled by a card shuffler and one card would be dealt from theshuffler. The number of the card dealt would constitute a decision.Another way of generating a decision is to use a random number generator(hereafter (“RNG”) to select a number from one to thirty-eight,inclusive, the number constituting a decision. Also, a player could beallowed to use a remote control to activate the RNG to select a numberwhich would constitute a decision. A large monitor can be placed forplayers and observers to easily view the results of the selected numberwhich would be displayed by the monitors.

Other advantages and attributes of this invention will be readilydiscernable upon a reading of the text hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of this invention is to provide a casino game having aroulette table layout.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a casino gamehaving a roulette table layout which can be played by conventionalroulette rules, but without a roulette wheel.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a casino gamehaving a roulette table layout without a roulette wheel.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a casino gamehaving a roulette table layout where the numbers “0” and “00” arereplaced with numbers “37” and “38”.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a casino gamehaving a roulette table layout in which a random number decisiongeneration replacing the use of a roulette wheel can be obtained by aball selected by a ball blower having a set of balls numbered from oneto thirty-eight, inclusive.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a casino gamehaving a roulette table layout in which a random number decisiongeneration replacing the use of a roulette wheel can be obtained by anumber selected by a random number generator, the selected number beingin the range from one to thirty-eight, inclusive.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a casino gamehaving a roulette table layout in which a random number decisiongeneration replacing the use of a roulette wheel can be obtained bydealing a card from a deck of cards shuffled by a card shuffler wherethe card deck has a set of. cards numbered from one to thirty-eight,inclusive.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a casino gamehaving a roulette table layout in which a random number decisiongeneration replacing the use of a roulette wheel can be obtained by anumber selected by a random number generator which selects a number atrandom in the range from one to thirty-eight, inclusive, when activatedby a remote control.

A further object of this invention is to provide a casino game having aroulette table layout in which the results of the random number decisiongeneration replacing the use of a roulette wheel can be displayed forthe players and observers to see.

These objects, and other objects expressed or implied in this document,are accomplished by a game of chance including a table having numberindicia for placing bets thereupon, a number selector which whenactuated for a game, produces a randomly selected number, the numberbeing determinative of the game's winning indicia, and a displayassociated with the table, for displaying the selected number, thedisplay being clearly viewable by all the players at the table. In oneembodiment the number selector is a ball selector which, when actuated,randomly singulates one of a plurality of numbered, agitated ballscontained within a chamber, the number on the singulated ball being theselected number. Preferably the chamber contains thirty-eight balls,each ball marked with a different number, the numbers ranging from oneto thirty-eight, inclusive. Also preferably a ball selected by blowingto the top of the chamber and into a singulating chute communicatingwith the chamber, and the display includes a structure affixed to thetable and disposed, in part, above the number selector, a camera affixedto the structure proximate the singulated ball for viewing the number onthe ball, and a display screen affixed to the structure for displayingto participants and observers of the game the camera's view of thesingulated ball. Preferably the table's number indicia resembles theindicia of a conventional roulette table, and numbers “37” and “38” areused in place of the conventional numbers “0” and “00.”

In another embodiment, the number selector includes a numericalprocessor proximate the table, software installed in the processor forselecting a number at random, when actuated, and a display communicatingwith the processor for displaying the selected number, the display beingclearly viewable by all the players at the table. Preferably a dealercan control the processor remotely by a remote control communicatingwith the processor for activating the software for selecting a randomnumber.

In a third embodiment the number selector includes a deck of numberedcards, a shuffler for arranging the cards in a random sequence, and astructure for assisting a dealer in singulating one numbered card fromthe shuffled deck. In this embodiment the display can be the singulatedcard disposed to allow all players at the table to view the number onthe card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the invention is shownand generally designated 2. A generally conventional roulette table 4used in playing the casino game of the invention has a generallyconventional roulette table layout 6. The principal difference from aconventional layout is that there is no roulette wheel. Additionally,the layout of this invention preferably replaces the numbers “0” and“00” of a conventional layout with the numbers “37” and “38”. This isdone because it is easier to have random number generators which canselect numbers from the range of from one to thirty-eight, rather thanto modify such a RNG to be able to select from the range of from one tothirty-six and “0” and “00”. It is also somewhat easier to obtain ballsfor ball blowers and numbered card decks where the balls and cards arenumbered from one to thirty-eight rather than including the numbers “0”and “00”. This layout difference from the conventional roulette tablelayout applies to each of the embodiments described in more detailbelow.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a ball blower 8 is positioned on the tablewhere a roulette wheel would otherwise be positioned. The ball blower ispreferably of a type commonly used in bingo games where one of a set oflight-weight, numbered, plastic balls can be randomly selected. Theballs are kept in movement inside a transparent cover and, when theblower is activated, one ball nearest the entrance of a tubular ballchute (not shown) is selected by allowing the ball to enter the chutewhere it is blown to the top of the chute 10. In the top of the chutethe ball can be viewed by the dealer and players and can also be viewedby a video camera 12. A display structure 14 is mounted above the ballblowers, preferably affixed to the table 4. A video camera 12 is affixedto the display structure above the ball blower 8 so the number on theball selected by the ball blower can be viewed in the top of the chute10 by the camera. A display monitor 16 is affixed to the displaystructure, positioned for easy viewing of the dealer, players andobservers. The monitor displays the camera's view 18 of the selectedball in the top of the chute of the ball blower. The view 18 is thenumber marked on the ball that is in the top of the chute. The numberdisplayed constitutes the random number decision generation replacingthe use of a roulette wheel and play resulting from the decision willproceed according to the conventional roulette rules. Thus, instead ofthe number of a pocket in a roulette wheel in which a roulette ballcomes to rest, it would be the number on the selected ball that woulddetermine the play according to conventional roulette rules. The displaystructure 14 can contain signage 20 with flashing lights for addingadditional casino atmosphere to the game.

The play is by roulette rules, with players making bets on the tablelayout 6. The ball blower 8 contains thirty-eight balls, each ballmarked with a separate, distinct number from one to thirty-eight,inclusive. When the players have placed their bets, the dealer willstart the ball blower which will cause the balls in the ball blower tobe continually stirred. After the balls have been allowed to be stirred,the dealer will push a “select” button on his blower control unit (notshown) which will open access for the balls to the bottom of the chute.A blower forcing air up the chute will cause the next ball that passesthe opening to the bottom of the chute to be forced up the chute whereit can be observed in the top of the chute 10 by a video camera 12. Theball's number 18, as viewed by the camera will be displayed on thescreen of a display monitor 16. The ball blower will select a numberedball and the results of the selection will be displayed on the monitorfor the dealer, players and observers. The number displayed constitutesthe random number decision generation replacing the use of a roulettewheel and play resulting from the decision will proceed according to theconventional roulette rules. This would constitute a decision and theresults of the numbered ball selected would be treated the same underthe rules as if a roulette ball had come to rest on the equivalentnumber of a roulette wheel. The use of the ball blowers to select therandom number decision generation creates a lottery style game, with nomaterial difference from those used in many states having lotteries,including California.

Referring to FIG. 2, another embodiment of the invention is generallydesignated 32. This embodiment uses the roulette table 4 having aroulette table layout 6 of the preferred embodiment. Since no roulettewheel is used in the game there is more space available on the table. Inthis embodiment there is a dealer's control unit 34 preferably affixedto an underside of the table. A monitor or CRT 36 is positioned on thetable for the dealer. The control unit contains a small computer havingsoftware for

random number generation of a number from one to thirty-eight,inclusive. The generation of the number will be based on the odds ofpicking one card from a thirty-eight card deck. At the dealer's signal,the random number generator software selects a random number within therange of from one to thirty-eight. The number is displayed on the screenof the CRT for the dealer and players to see. Also, a display monitor 38displays the selected number 40 for players and observers to see. Themonitor can be supported by a rigid hollow tube 42 affixed to the table.The monitor could also be mounted on a stand or other base placed somedistance from the table. The control unit or enclosure affixed beneaththe table would be locked and sealed by the gaming commissionresponsible for the play of such games prior to the start of play.

When the players have made their bets the dealer signals the controlunit 34 to select a number. The software in the control unit has therandom number generator select a random number from the range of fromone to thirty-eight. The selected number 40 is displayed on the CRT 36and the screen of a display monitor 38. The number displayed constitutesthe random number decision generation replacing the use of a roulettewheel and play resulting from the decision will proceed according to theconventional roulette rules. This would constitute a decision and theresults of the number selected would be treated the same under the rulesas if a roulette ball had come to rest on the equivalent number of aroulette wheel.

Referring to FIG. 3, another embodiment of the invention is generallydesignated 52. This embodiment uses the roulette table 4 having aroulette table layout 6 of the preferred embodiment. Since no roulettewheel is used in the game there is more space available on the table. Inthis embodiment a card shuffler 54 is used to provide the random numberdecision generation. The shuffler is positioned on the table for use bythe dealer. A deck of thirty-eight cards (not shown) is used. The deckhas cards bearing the numbers from one to thirty-eight, inclusive.

When the players have made their bets the dealer inserts the deck ofcards into the shuffler. The shuffler thoroughly shuffles the cards andthe dealer draws one card. The card is held or placed so the players andobservers can see the card. The number displayed constitutes the randomnumber decision generation replacing the use of a roulette wheel andplay resulting from the decision will proceed according to theconventional roulette rules. This would constitute a decision and theresults of the numbered card selected would be treated the same underthe rules as if a roulette ball had come to rest on the equivalentnumber of a roulette wheel. While not shown, the invention encompassesthe mounting of a video camera for viewing the card drawn by the dealerfor displaying on the screen of a display monitor placed in position forthe players and observers to see the results of the draw. By using cardsthe game becomes a house banked percentage card game.

Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the invention is generallydesignated 52. This embodiment uses the roulette table 4 having aroulette table layout 6 of the preferred embodiment. Since no roulettewheel is used in the game there is more space available on the table. Inthis embodiment there is a dealer's control unit 34 preferably affixedto an underside of the table. A monitor or CRT 36 is positioned on thetable for the dealer's use. The control unit contains a small computerhaving software for random number generation of a number from within therange of from one to thirty-eight, inclusive. The generation of thenumber will be based on the odds of picking one card from a thirty-eightcard deck. To provide an increased sense of involvement for the players,a remote control 64 can be operated by a player. The remote control cancommunicate electrically with the control unit by means of a controlcable (not shown), or wirelessly by means of electronic transmission, insimilar fashion as a garage door opener's remote control communicateswith the opener. The remote control would activate the random numbergeneration software in the control unit to select a random number. Thesoftware would select a random number based on the odds of picking onecard from a thirty-eight card deck. When the number is selected, it isdisplayed on the screen of the CRT for the dealer and players to see.Also, a display monitor 38 displays the selected number 40 on the screenof the display monitor for players and observers to see. The monitor canbe supported by a rigid hollow tube 42 affixed to the table. The monitorcould also be mounted on a stand or other base placed some distance fromthe table. The control unit or enclosure affixed beneath the table wouldbe locked and sealed by the gaming commission responsible for the playof such games prior to the start of play.

When the players have made their bets the dealer would hand the remotecontrol 64 to a player to initiate the play of the game. The playerwould press the button (not shown) on the remote control which wouldsignal the control unit 34 to select a number. The software in thecontrol unit has the random number generator select a random number fromthe range of from one to thirty-eight. The selected number 40 isdisplayed on the CRT 36 and the screen of a display monitor 38. Thenumber displayed constitutes the random number decision generationreplacing the use of a roulette wheel and play resulting from thedecision will proceed according to the conventional roulette rules. Thiswould constitute a decision and the results of the number selected wouldbe treated the same under the rules as if a roulette ball had come torest on the equivalent number of a roulette wheel.

The foregoing description and drawings were given for illustrativepurposes only, it being understood that the invention is not limited tothe embodiments disclosed, but is intended to embrace any and allalternatives, equivalents, modifications and rearrangements of elementsfalling within the scope of the invention as defined by the followingclaims.

1. A game of chance comprising: a table having number indicia forplacing bets thereupon, a number selector which when actuated for agame, produces a randomly selected number, the number beingdeterminative of the game's winning indicia, wherein the number selectorcomprises at least one ball selector which, when actuated, randomlysingulates one of a plurality of numbered, agitated balls containedwithin a chamber, the number on at least one singulated ball being theselected number, wherein each ball selected is blown to the top of thechamber and into a singulating chute communicating with the chamber; anda live motion camera affixed to the structure proximate the singulatedball for capturing a live motion image of the number on the ball, and adisplay screen affixed to the structure for displaying to participantsand observers of the game the camera's live motion view of thesingulated ball.
 2. A method for playing a game of chance, said methodcomprising the steps of: providing at least one defined set of balls,the defined set consisting of thirty-seven or thirty-eight individualand substantially identical balls, each ball in the defined setrepresenting a different chance outcome in the game of chance; markingeach ball in the defined set with a distinctive indicium, thirty-six ofthe balls being marked with indicium selected from the group consistingof the whole numbers 1 to 36, and the remaining one or two balls in thedefined set being marked with other distinctive indicium, whereby everyball in the defined set is uniquely marked; placing the at least onedefined set of balls in a transparent chamber; providing a transparentchute in communication with the chamber; providing a table top having alayout region corresponding to the distinctive indicium marked on theballs; wagering upon the game outcome by positioning an acceptableinstrument within the layout region on the table top to select from anyof the distinctive indicium; randomly moving the at least one definedset of balls about the chamber under the influence of an air current;singulating a random one ball from the at least one defined set of ballsduring said step of randomly moving the balls in the chamber, said stepof singulating a random one of the balls including selectively admittingthe one singulated ball into the chute; providing a motion picturecamera affixed relative to the transparent chute; determining a decisionfor the game of chance by publicizing the distinct indicia marked on theone singulated ball, whereby the game decision is based on said step ofsingulating a random one ball and the probability that any one distinctindicium will be publicized is equivalent to 1 divided by the totalnumber of balls in the defined set is equivalent to the conventionalgame of roulette but without using a roulette wheel to establish thegame decision; capturing a live motion visual image of the onesingulated ball within the transparent chute with the camera; andprojecting the captured live motion image on a display screen.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein said step of providing a table top having alayout region includes the step of creating a layout matrix comprisingthirty-six cells arranged in three columns and twelve rows, and furtherincluding the step of marking each cell with a distinctive indiciumselected from the group consisting of the whole numbers 1 to
 36. 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein said step of marking each ball with adistinctive indicium includes the step of marking at least two of thethirty-eight balls with distinctive indicium selected from the groupconsisting of the whole numbers 37 and
 38. 5. The method of claim 3,wherein said step of marking each cell includes marking the cell in thefirst column and the first row with the number “1”, marking the cell inthe second column and the first row with the number “2”, and marking thecell in the third column and the first row with the number “3”, andfurther including the step of sequentially marking each successive cellin each column with the number determined by the formula “n+3” where “n”is the number in the immediately preceding cell of the same column. 6.An apparatus for playing a game of chance, said apparatus comprising: atable top for placing bets thereupon, said table top having a layoutregion including a layout matrix comprising thirty-six cells arranged inthree columns and twelve rows, each said cell containing a distinctiveindicium selected from the group consisting of the whole numbers 1 to36; at least one defined set of balls, each said defined set consistingof thirty-seven or thirty-eight individual and substantially identicalballs, thirty-six of said balls marked with a distinctive indiciumselected from the group consisting of the whole numbers 1 to 36, and theremaining one or two balls in said defined set marked with otherdistinctive indicium, whereby every ball in said defined set is uniquelymarked; a transparent chamber for containing said balls; a blower formoving said balls randomly within said chamber under the influence of anair current; a ball selector operatively associated with said chamberfor singulating a random one of said balls to establish a game decisioncorresponding to the distinct indicia marked on said one singulatedball, whereby the game of chance played upon said apparatus produces agame decision that has a probability factor for each possible outcomeequivalent to one divided by the total number of said balls in saiddefined set; said ball selector including a transparent chute incommunication with said chamber for receiving and displaying said onesingulated ball; and a live motion camera fixedly disposed relative tosaid transparent chute and directed toward said transparent chute forcapturing a live motion visual image of said one singulated ball, and avideo display for displaying the live motion visual image of said onesingulated ball captured in real time by said live motion camera.
 7. Theapparatus according to claim 6, wherein one of said balls is marked withindicium number
 37. 8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein saidcell in said first column and said first row of said layout matrixincludes the number “1”, said cell in said second column and said firstrow includes the number “2”, and said cell in said third column and saidfirst row includes the number “3”, and wherein each successive cell ineach said column includes the number determined by the formula “n+3”where “n” is the number in the immediately preceding cell of the samecolumn.